MFA Responds to Mali’s Decision to Sever Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reaction

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the decision by Mali’s transitional government to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine “short-sighted and hasty.” The official statement, released on August 5, 2024, outlines Kyiv’s stance on the move.

Statement Text

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has described the decision by the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine as ‘short-sighted and hasty,’ considering that Ukraine, as a victim of unprovoked full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation, is striving to restore justice and respect for international law with the support of the global community. This law aims to protect all countries, including African nations, from encroachments on their sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Ukraine unequivocally adheres to international law, the inviolability of sovereignty, and territorial integrity of other countries and resolutely rejects the Transitional Government of Mali’s accusations of “supporting international terrorism.”

It is important to recall that Ukraine, as one of the founding members of the United Nations, actively supported the rights of African peoples to independence and decolonization, including that of the Republic of Mali.

In contrast, the Russian Federation, continuing its unprovoked full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, is undermining the architecture of international security and violating the Goals and Principles of the UN Charter, which guarantee African countries the right to a free future.

Ukraine is known in Africa as a significant contributor to regional security. Its peacekeeping contingents have made a substantial contribution to various UN peacekeeping operations, including the UN Missions in Mali from 2019 to 2022.

It is regrettable that the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine without thoroughly examining the facts and circumstances of the incident in northern Mali and without providing any evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in the incident.

Moreover, it is ignored that Kremlin-controlled military structures, including “Wagner,” use terrorist methods and are directly involved in numerous war crimes, killings of civilians, and brutal treatment of prisoners of war in both Ukraine and African countries.

Ukraine reserves the right to take all necessary political and diplomatic measures in response to the unfriendly actions of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali.”

Mali’s Statement

The Transitional Government of Mali announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of supporting Tuareg rebels who recently defeated a convoy of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries. The Malian government also accuses Ukraine of supporting terrorism in Africa, particularly in Mali, and violating the country’s sovereignty.

Specifically, the Malian government points to comments made by Ukrainian diplomat Yuriy Pivovarov and expresses displeasure over alleged support for terrorist activities. The Malian authorities demand that international legal bodies address these issues and call for measures to prevent destabilization from Ukrainian representatives.

Previously

In the past week, Ukrainian intelligence provided crucial information that led to the discovery of Wagner mercenary positions in northern Mali.

On July 28, 2024, Tuareg rebels ambushed a convoy of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries in northern Mali. Reports indicate that dozens of individuals, including soldiers and mercenaries, were killed in the clashes. The Tuareg rebels claimed to have captured armored vehicles, trucks, and tankers, and also damaged a helicopter that later crashed in Kidal.

The Malian army confirmed the death of two soldiers and ten injuries, noting that the helicopter incident did not result in fatalities. Russian military bloggers reported varying casualty figures for Wagner PMC, with estimates ranging from 20 to 80.